Patrick Comerford
The Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes came together for a Group Eucharist in the Rectory Garden in Askeaton at the end of July, followed by the Parish Summer Barbecue. Once again, this has been a successful event, bringing together parishioners and friends for an enjoyable day that has become a regular fixture in the parish calendar.
This year’s event was also successful in raising €250 to support the victims of the recent devastating fires in the Attica area near Athens in Greece.
The latest figure for the death toll in the fires has now climbed to 93.
The Greek community in Dublin and the Greek embassies in Dublin and London are collecting funds to help the victims of the fire.
The embassies have provided these details of the official bank account for the support of fire victims:
Account Name: Eidikos Logariasmos Pyroplikton ths 23hs kai 24hs Iouliou 2018
Beneficiary Name: Ministry of Finance
Bank of Greece
BIC: BNGRGRAA
Account number: 23/2341195169
IBAN GR4601000230000002341195169
‘Given the international and national solidarity and support that has been shown to Greece and the people affected by the fires, the Greek government has decided to open this special bank account at the Bank of Greece (FEK B’ 3014/25.07.2018), in order to fund activities for the support of the people struck by the fires in Eastern and Western Attica, especially for the reconstruction and compensation of the destroyed houses and infrastructure.
‘The account will be managed by a committee, composed of the President of the Hellenic Parliament, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport and the Finance Minister.
‘The account will be audited annually by chartered accountants, instructed by the Finance Minister. Their report will be submitted to the Court of Auditors.
‘The Greek state has contributed to the account with €20 million from the Hellenic Manpower Employment Organisation (ΟΑΕD), €10 million from the Ministry of Finance, while the Hellenic Parliament has decided to contribute €10 million.
‘The bank account will be available for foreign states, businesses and individuals from Greece and abroad to provide their financial support.’
After the recent fires in the Greece, the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) posted ‘A prayer for our friends in Athens’:
God of all comfort, hear our prayer for the people of Greece as they battle the flames of wildfire.
We hold in our hearts families and communities who have been forever changed by loss, grief and trauma.
Bring healing and peace to those suffering, and sustain those who rescue, comfort and rebuild.
Meanwhile, throughout this week, USPG has continued to post prayers for Greece on its social media platforms:
Tuesday:
We pray for refugees in Greece who have fled war or persecution in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. Pray that they may have hope for the future.
Wednesday:
We give thanks for the work of Apostoli which is working in Athens to provide support for migrants and Greeks made vulnerable through poverty.
Thursday:
We give thanks for the Anglican Chaplaincy in Greece, which is reaching out to some of the 45,000 refugees in the country, with support from USPG.
Friday:
We pray for the shelters for unaccompanied refugee minors in Athens, which have received support from USPG among others.
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